Making a difference

“People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that EVERY LIFE MATTERS. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.

People who want to make a difference get frustrated along the way. But if they have a particularly stressful day, they don’t quit. They keep going. Given their accomplishments, most of them are shockingly normal and the way they spend each day can be quite mundane. They don’t teach grand lessons that suddenly enlighten entire communities; they teach small lessons that can bring incremental improvement to one man or woman, boy or girl. They don’t do anything to CALL attention to themselves, they simply PAY attention to the everyday needs of others, even if it’s only one person. They bring change in ways most people will never read about or applaud. And because of the way these world-changers are wired, they wouldn’t think of living their lives any other way”.

I read the above excerpt from the forward of a book called “Kisses from Katie”. The story is about a young girl who “gave up” a comfortable life in America to go live in Africa and adopt a number of children and serve the people of Uganda.

As I read this a few weeks ago – I couldn’t help but think of my friend Nicolle and her husband David who recently passed away after being shot doing mission work in Haiti. I sent this to Nicolle and think it is worthwhile for all of us to think about what we’re doing with our lives to positively effect others.

So many of the people I’ve crossed paths with in my life – on some of our round the world travels and in towns here in America are amazing people. They find something they can give to – they find someone they can help – and they pour themselves into doing it well. I want to be this kind of person and pray that you will as well.

Happy Valentines Day

Summer with her Valentine’s Day toy, a photo by SisterPV on Flickr.

Summer with her new stuffed dog toy she got for Valentine’s Day. And yes, she’s “dog tired”.

Trinity Makes a Comeback…

After a little research and some help from a well-connected Trinity Dad, I have learned that:

It was the head varsity basketball coach who told the onsite jr high coach to play the ineligible players. The Athletic Director, upon finding out about the disaster, contacted the athletic director at Providence to offer and apology and explanation for the actions. Trinity’s AD also contacted the head of the middle school conference, to also offer and apology and explanation. Both men understood the explanation and accepted the apology.

Well played Trinity.

A “Super” weekend

family pose outside stadium, a photo by SisterPV on Flickr.

This weekend we were able to go to the Superbowl as a family – a great experience for us to have together. We bought 2 tickets in a charity auction this last fall and Sam and Ethan were going to go as a father/son trip. The week prior, we learned that some friends had tickets from a similar auction that they weren’t going to use – so we bought them from them and were able all go to Indy.

Since we initially weren’t sure when Ethan’s basketball tournament would finish, we didn’t have the flight scheduled until later on Saturday. So we flew into Columbus on Saturday night and were able to spend a few hours with my brother John and his family late on Saturday. Sunday a.m. we made the 3 hour road trip to Indianapolis and pulled in to our posh hotel accommodations. Motel 6 – Indy.

Really….. there weren’t any other hotels available, so we booked our overpriced Motel 6 and pulled into the hotel parking lot and immediately saw 2 “ladies of the night” talking to their “boss” in his Escalade. Yeah, pretty woman part deux – thigh high boots, mini skirts and the works. Nice…..

We left our bags in the room and crossed our fingers that they would be there when we returned. I loved the fact that once in the room (well equipped with one towel and 2 bars of soap) we read on the back of the door “while in room, please use the door latch and the dead bolt, for your security”. With trepidation, we headed to the stadium.

What an experience the Superbowl was! Pretty tight security, but a beautiful – sunny and chilly day as we headed in through the guards and the gates. Anna and I had seats in the lower level close to where the Giants players entered the field, and Sam and Ethan had loge seats a few sections up to our left.

We were surrounded by both Giants and Patriots fans. Directly in front of us were the parents and sister of one of the Patriots players (Polite) – and they lived up to their name by tolerating the drunk “Housewives of Chicago” sitting next to them cheering for the Giants.

The game was amazing, and even though we didn’t have any heart wrenching connection to either team, we were pulling for the Giants, since we’re not big fans of Tom Brady or Bill Belacheck. It was a great game to watch and had us on our toes every moment. The halftime show wasn’t too bad either – Anna had to keep telling me who all the “artists” were – although I did know Madonna who, as my brother quipped “I’m sixty and I know it” – in tune to the LMFAO song “I’m sexy and I know it”.

We stayed till the bitter end – full of confetti and awards presentations. It was great to watch the players wives, kids, parents and friends storm the field to experience the moment with them. I do love a good football game!

We made it back to the hotel and all our belongings were still there. A quick night’s sleep, an early morning wake up alarm and a 3 hour drive back to ye ol Columbus airport. Less than 48 hours later, we were back in Jacksonville.

A great experience to have as a family – one I’m sure we’ll all remember fondly.

League Champs

Providence Middle School basketball team, a photo by SisterPV on Flickr.

Congratulations to Ethan and his middle school basketball team. They had an amazing tournament run, coming from behind in all 3 of their tourney games this week and winning the whole tournament.

Today they were down by 10 at half time, but came roaring back, scored 28 pts in the 3rd quarter and ended up beating Bolles by 13 points to win the league championship. They had lost to Bolles earlier this year and handed them their first (& most important) defeat this season.

What a great group of guys – showing true teamwork and camaraderie with each other. It truly was a fun season to watch.

Congrats boys!

A touching tribute

My brother wrote this beautiful tribute to Big Dave Bompart – who was murdered/martyred while working to build an orphanage in Haiti.

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Our prayer is that the work David started will continue and grow to be even greater. Please continue to pray for his wife Nicolle and their families as they deal with this great loss. It is hard to understand why things like this happen, but we know that David is rejoicing and made whole in heaven today.

http://www.asiashope.org/directors-blog/2012/2/2/in-honor-of-big-dave-bompart.html

Great night for Providence…a sad day for Trinity.

The good guys won tonight. Ethan’s middle school basketball team had their first tournament game tonight against a team they have beaten by massive margins the last 2 times they’ve played them. Both schools have very good middle school players and some of them have moved up to play on the JV high school teams.

According to Trinity parents seated in the stands, the team decided to bring down 4 of their JV players to play in the tournament game in order to knock us out of the tournament. We could tell who those players were because they had different shoes and warm up jackets from the rest of the team we had played twice before. These players were not eligible to play in the tournament because they played on the JV team virtually all season and had not played the requisite number of middle school games to qualify for the tournament. Trinity parents acknowledged that they knew they were breaking the rules, but didn’t care.

Trinity’s coaches had been told prior to the game that if they played their JV players, they would be fined and have to forfeit the game. Even with that – they were willing to play them – in order to knock us out of the tournament – apparently they wanted us to lose at all costs. For us parents – it was hard to take.

But… our boys played with a fire in their bellies and a true desire to win. It was an amazingly close game – never more than a 3 or 4 point margin. AND WE WON. The parents were relieved that the boys get to continue on in the tournament and showed true character. What a disappointment that the Trinity team – A Christian school, no less – would show such disrespect for the rules that they had agreed to follow. They knew they wouldn’t move on in the tournament playing their regular season team, so they chose to cheat, just in order to knock us out. What a horrible example of sportsmanship. Their coaches and athletic director should be embarrassed. I am embarrassed for them.

And it was a shame – boy for our boys and for the true legitimate players on Trinity’s junior high team. These boys who played all season had to sit on the bench and watch another team try to do their work for them. It was a shame for our team, who usually would be able to play all our bench in this game – we had to play the top 7 for the entire game. Ethan was one of the lucky ones – he started – he played well and he showed true grit. All of the boys were to be commended and the whole team rejoiced when the good guys won.

Congrats to the Providence Middle School boys basketball team – and shame on Trinity.

(As of Saturday February 4, we still have not received a response from Trinity despite an email from the administration that indicated our inquiry be directed to the athletic director. We are still hopeful that Trinity will do the right thing and issue a formal apology.)